Press Releases

TIFTON, Ga. – The Georgia Peanut Commission seeks eligible peanut producers who are interested in serving as an alternate member on the National Peanut Board. The Georgia Peanut Commission will hold a nominations election to select two nominees for alternate position to the National Peanut Board during a meeting on Sept. 13, 2018, at noon at the GPC headquarters in Tifton, Ga. All eligible peanut producers are encouraged to participate. Eligible producers are those who are engaged in the production and sale of peanuts and who own or share the ownership and risk of loss of the crop.

Neil Lee of Bronwood, Ga., serves as the current alternate for the state of Georgia. The term for the current Georgia alternate expires Dec. 31, 2018.

The United States Department of Agriculture requires two nominees from each state for the alternate position. The National Peanut Board will submit Georgia’s slate of nominees to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who makes the appointments.

The National Peanut Board encourages inclusion of persons of any race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status. NPB encourages all persons who qualify as peanut producers to attend the meeting and run for nomination.

It is USDA’s policy that membership on industry-government boards and committees accurately reflect the diversity of individuals served by the programs.

About the Georgia Peanut Commission

The Georgia Peanut Commission has been working on the behalf of Georgia’s peanut farmers since 1961 in the areas of promotion, research and education.

About the National Peanut Board

The National Peanut Board represents all USA peanut farmers and their families. The mission of the Board is to improve the economic condition of USA peanut farmers and their families through compelling promotion and groundbreaking research.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Georgia Power, Georgia 811 team up for safety video on National 811 Day

Public service announcement highlights importance of contacting 811 before you dig

Atlanta, Georgia (Aug. 9, 2018) – Georgia Power and Georgia 811 have teamed up to present a new public service announcement for National 811 Day on Aug. 11 (8-11). The PSA highlights the importance of contacting 811 to have underground power lines and other buried utilities marked before digging projects. The video features the Georgia 811 mascot — Digger Dog — and demonstrates how quick and easy it is to have underground lines identified.

Georgia Power works every day with Georgia 811, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preventing damage to underground utilities and promoting public safety, to ensure that projects are safe and comply with the “Georgia Dig Law.” The law requires contact with Georgia 811 before mechanized digging to have buried power, communications, gas and water lines clearly marked, typically with flags, spray paint or both, to help prevent injuries, unintended service disruptions, repair costs and fines. In the first six months of 2018, Georgia Power has responded to more than 420,000 requests for locating and marking of its underground power lines.

Georgia Power reminds customers of the importance of calling 811 or visiting MyGeorgia811.com, to enter a location request at least two days before they dig. There is no charge for 811 location requests and contacting 811 is also recommended for smaller manual jobs, such as planting trees, installing fences or mailboxes or other digging activity.

Once the request is received, Georgia 811 notifies affected member utility companies, who send a professional technician to identify and mark underground lines.

The new PSA, available here for hi-resolution media download in 15- and 30-second versions, can also be viewed on Georgia Power’s YouTube, Twitter and Facebook pages.

About Georgia Power: Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Co., America’s premier energy company. Value, reliability, customer service and stewardship are cornerstones of the company’s promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Atlanta, GA – While there is discussion among policy makers over international business, executives and manufacturers are having to make critical decisions to mitigate risk while continuing to boost their global commerce. The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance will hold a Global Manufacturer Town Hall on August 15th that will address these issues.

Held at AGCO Corporate headquarters in Duluth, GA from 10 am – 1pm, this educational platform will allow attendees to learn from international executives who are navigating privacy policies, trade tariffs, and supplier diversification to stay competitive in today’s global marketplace. The format will be in Town Hall style with open discussions on important issues such as: Cyber Security & Data Privacy • Market Diversification & Export • Purchasing and Resource Planning • Logistics and Trade Tariffs.

“Whether you are sourcing, producing, or selling in overseas markets, international changes impact the marketing and operational activities of thousands of manufacturing companies who depend on global commerce,” said Joanne Sanders, President of EWISE Communications and International Liaison for the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance. “Open dialogue like this Global Town Hall is critical to fostering business continuity and helping manufacturing companies thrive.”

Top manufacturers and leading global executives from across the state will be available for questions including:

Rich Cavagnaro – Adedge Water Technologies, CEO

Stuart Countess – KIA Motors, Chief Administrative Officer

Bruce Hagenau – METCAM Sheet Metal Fabricator, President

Susanne Laude – AGCO Corporation, Director of Advanced Manufacturing

Mark Prehar – AGCO Corporation, Purchasing Manager

Joanne Sanders – EWISE Communications, President and International Liaison for the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance

This Global Executive Town Hall represents a wide variety of industry leaders that will be address key issues affecting the manufacturers in our state,” said Jason Moss, CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance. “This event will lead us into the International Manufacturing Educational Session that will be held in conjunction with our Georgia Manufacturing Summit.”

Held October 10th at the Cobb Galleria, the 2018 Summit is expected to attract over 800 attendees from across the Southeast and will be focused on the Aerospace Industry, the number one export for the state of Georgia. Mark Burns, President of Gulfstream, and Eric Rojek, V.P. of Sales & Marketing for Thrush Aviation will be this year’s Keynote Speakers. It is Georgia’s manufacturing event of the year and allows attendees to make face-to-face connections with other manufacturers, customers, service providers, and suppliers. In addition to the Keynote presentations, this event will have over 30 of the top industry leaders provide educational workshops to discuss Disruptive Technologies, Financial Perspectives, International Manufacturing, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain Trends, and Workforce Development. To learn more and to register: www.GeorgiaManufacturingSummit.com

About the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance:

The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA) is a membership-based industry organization founded in 2008 to support Georgia’s manufacturing community. GMA provides monthly plant tours, educational sessions, tradeshows, and unique networking opportunities designed to help make profitable business connections for its members. The Georgia Manufacturing Directory, Georgia Manufacturing Summit, Georgia Manufacturing Calendar, and BuyFromGeorgia.com are additional resources produced by GMA. To learn more about the organization, membership, and upcoming events, please call 770-338-0051 or visit their website www.GeorgiaManufacturingAlliance.com.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Expanding transportation for people with disabilities

Georgia test case presents viable transportation option

ATLANTA, GA. – August 8 —Veterans, older adults and people with disabilities have countless obstacles to employment opportunities in Georgia and across the nation. Transportation should not be one of them.

Through a test case introducing Lyft as a flexible, cost-effective transportation option for people with disabilities, Georgia has used this transportation option for adults using supported employment services through a Medicaid Waiver Program.

The purpose of the test case was to respond to the major barrier to work that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience: lack of affordable, flexible transportation. The solution is just as viable for older adults and veterans who are unable to drive.

The compelling force behind the test case has been a mother who has been a long time advocate for a daughter with disabilities. In recognition of her efforts and leadership in developing and expanding the test case, Carol Pryor of Atlanta was presented the Aging and Disability Resource Connection 2018 Service Award.

Carol recognized the transportation barrier which is ever present for many Georgians with disabilities.

Utilizing the test case model on a wider scale will create tremendous opportunities for people with disabilities who are trained and ready to work. Success of the Georgia test case has generated interest among legislators, agencies and non-profit organizations in multiple states. Implementation of the test case model throughout the nation is the long-term goal.

The Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services is reviewing Georgia’s test case as a viable transportation option for senior mobility. When a scalable and sustainable model is implemented, Georgia will be the first state in the nation to have created a solution to address the dire need for transportation among older adults and people with disabilities and to provide people with disabilities an opportunity to work and live a life of inclusion in their communities.

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Thrush Aircraft VP will be a keynote speaker at Georgia Manufacturing Summit on Oct. 10

Atlanta, GA — Understanding the impact that the aerospace industry has on manufacturing will be a key topic at the 2018 Georgia Manufacturing Summit. Held October 10th at the Cobb Galleria, this year’s breakfast Keynote Speaker will be Eric Rojek, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Thrush Aircraft, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of agricultural aircraft. Mr. Rojek leads Thrush’s global marketing strategy, communications, and brand positioning efforts.

“The aerospace industry benefits greatly from the depth of manufacturing capabilities in Georgia,” said Eric Rojek. “Capabilities that are not only vital to the success of our nation, but that allow us to continue building upon Georgia’s rich legacy of success in aviation.”

Headquartered in Albany, Georgia, Thrush Aircraft manufactures a full range of aerial application aircraft used in agriculture, forestry, and firefighting roles worldwide. Founded in 2003, Thrush is well-known for building the most durable aircraft in the aerial application industry, as well as the best flying – from both pilot and operator perspectives. Today there are more than 2,200 Thrush aircraft operating in some 80 countries.

This versatility is part of what has made Thrush a favorite of operators, both large and small. Major operators who rely on Thrush include such familiar names as Dole Fresh Fruit, Del Monte Fresh Fruit, Aerovic, FumiPalma, as well as many governments around the world.

“Thrush boasts a well-rounded management team with a wealth of experience in all areas of manufacturing,” said Jason Moss, CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance the producer of the Summit. “Their veteran labor force has aerial agriculture experience dating back to the mid-1960s, including all aspects of design, tooling production, planning, product manufacturing, and support.”

The 2018 Summit is expected to attract over 800 attendees from across the Southeast and will be focused on the Aerospace Industry. It is Georgia’s manufacturing event of the year and allows attendees to make face-to-face connections with other manufacturers, customers, service providers, and suppliers. In addition to the Keynote presentations, this year’s event will have over 30 of the top industry leaders provide educational workshops to discuss Disruptive Technologies, Financial Perspectives, International Manufacturing, Supply Chain Trends, and Workforce Development. To register: www.GeorgiaManufacturingSummit.com

About the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance:

The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA) is a membership-based industry organization founded in 2008 to support Georgia’s manufacturing community. GMA provides monthly plant tours, educational sessions, tradeshows, and unique networking opportunities designed to help make profitable business connections for its members. The Georgia Manufacturing Directory, Georgia Manufacturing Summit, Georgia Manufacturing Calendar, and BuyFromGeorgia.com are additional resources produced by GMA. To learn more about the organization, membership, and upcoming events, please call 770-338-0051 or visit their website www.GeorgiaManufacturingAlliance.com.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Atlanta, GA — From Alpharetta to Savannah, each region in Georgia was highlighted in the Buy From Georgia Campaign that focused on manufacturers that make consumer products. The campaign kicked off with a tour of Scientific Games on June 27th and ended on July 31st with a tour of Sunny Delight. Over 500 people attended the tours which included everything from food preparation to firearms to golf carts.

“It was fascinating to see the diversity of manufacturing capabilities across so many different segments of manufacturing,” said Jason Moss, CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance. “The common thread at each facility was the pride that the employees took in creating each product. Although we saw very impressive automation in the factories that we toured, there was a huge focus on continuous improvement using lean and six sigma principles.”

“Our organization was founded in 2008 and even after 10 years of touring the state, I am more impressed than ever with the innovations, technologies, and the people that make manufacturing the number 1 industry in Georgia,” continued Moss. “It is our goal to bring awareness to the great products manufactured in our state, and we developed a tool that helps connect the general consumer to products manufactured in Georgia. The BuyFromGA.com website features 100s of items that are manufactured in Georgia, and we hope every resident will go to this site and purchase items Made in Georgia.”

ABOUT GMA: The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA) is a membership-based industry organization founded in 2008 to support Georgia’s manufacturing community. GMA provides monthly plant tours, educational sessions, tradeshows, and unique networking opportunities designed to help make profitable business connections for its members. The Georgia Manufacturing Directory, Georgia Manufacturing Summit, and Georgia Manufacturing Calendar are additional resources produced by GMA. To learn more about the organization, membership, and upcoming events, please call 770-338-0051 or visit their website http://www.GeorgiaManufacturingAlliance.com.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Atlanta, GA — The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA) is pleased to announce the addition of Bill Stankiewicz as the Coastal Chapter Director for GMA. Mr. Stankiewicz is a Supply Chain Consultant in the Savannah area and has over 20 years experience in Industrial Facility Operations, Business Development, and Food Grade Distribution.

“It is an honor to be working as the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance Coastal Director,” said Bill Stankiewicz, GMA Coastal Chapter Director. “I support Georgia manufacturing Jobs and will continue to address workforce development needs for manufacturers and supply chain centers. Our region is looking forward to hosting plant tours and educational events and supporting GMA with joint activities aligning with APICS, TAG, Savannah Traffic Club, Propeller Club, and Pooler Chamber of Commerce.”

The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance has four tours set up in the Savannah region on July 26 and 27th as part of their Buy From Georgia plant tour series. These tours include:

* Savannah Bee Plant Tour, July 26, Savannah

Featured as a “Small Business Success Story” on CNN, Savannah Bee offers some of the world’s finest honey and beeswax body care products available.

See over 900 barrels of vodka and whiskey and their 17,000-square-foot distillery with a 500-gallon, American-made Vendome copper pot still where they produce a vide array of super-premium spirits.

* Daniel Defense Plant Tour, July 27, Ellabell (Savannah Area)

Daniel Defense is one of the largest competitors in the AR-15 firearms market, producing over 50,000 rifles per year at their 300,000-square-facility for consumers and the U.S. Special Operations Command.

Manufacturing is the largest part of Savannah’s economy, with 251 manufacturing facilities in Chatham County registered in 2002 with annual payrolls exceeding $713 million. The largest plant and employer in the region is Gulfstream Aerospace which is an executive jet aircraft manufacturer. Mark Burns, CEO of Gulfstream, will be the Keynote speaker of this year’s Georgia Manufacturing Summit which will be held October 10th at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, GA

The Summit is produced by the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance and will attract over 800 industry professionals from across the state. This year’s theme focuses on the Aviation Industry and the broad impact it has on the manufacturing community. Eric Rojeck, VP of Sales & Marketing with Thrush Aviation, will also be a Keynote Speaker at the Summit. Over 30 industry experts will address issues important to the manufacturing community including Workforce Development, Disruptive Technologies, International Manufacturing and Supply Chain & Logistics.

“Bill is known as the “supply chain guy” in the Savannah area, and we are excited to have such a well-known community leader join the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance as our Coastal Chapter Director,” said Jason Moss, CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance. “Bill is also on the Logistics Technology Corridor Task Force & Coastal WorkSource Board of Directors, and he is well versed in issues that affect the manufacturers in our state.”

About the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance: The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA) is a membership-based industry organization founded in 2008 to support Georgia’s manufacturing community. GMA provides monthly plant tours, educational sessions, tradeshows, and unique networking opportunities designed to help make profitable business connections for its members. The Georgia Manufacturing Directory, Georgia Manufacturing Summit, Georgia Manufacturing Calendar, and Buy From GA website are additional resources produced by GMA. To learn more about the organization, membership, and upcoming events, please call 770-338-0051 or visit their website www.GeorgiaManufacturingAlliance.com.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

BATON ROUGE, LA – eQHealth Solutions is pleased to announce that it has recently been awarded a new five-year Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) grant by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) for the State of Georgia. eQHealth Solutions has been an SMP grantee since 2009 and a multi-state grantee since 2015. The SMP mission is to empower Medicare beneficiaries, their family members and caregivers to prevent health care fraud through outreach, counseling and education.

The SMP program was established by federal law in 1997 and is administered by the ACL. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) estimates that Medicare loses between sixty and one hundred billion dollars each year due to errors, fraud, and abuse. SMP projects actively work to disseminate SMP fraud prevention and information through the media, outreach campaigns, community events and local education sessions. Additionally, SMP offers beneficiaries the opportunity to contact the program grantee for each state with inquiries and complaints regarding Medicare, Medicaid and other health care or related consumer issues.

“Since 2009, eQHealth Solutions’ SMP staff and volunteers have educated over 750,000 Medicare beneficiaries. According to OIG reporting, the actual Medicare funds recovered attributable to the projects for the period of 2009 through 2017 totals over $17 million. eQHealth is proud to have been instrumental in the recovery of these funds and of our education efforts. We look forward to continuing our work on SMP in Georgia,” said Glen J. Golemi, Chief Executive Officer, eQHealth Solutions.

The SMP message is simple; “Protect, Detect & Report”. This message is spread throughout the state by staff as well as volunteers who are the backbone of the project. Recruitment for volunteers is ongoing and anyone interested may call 877-272-8720 to get further information. Beneficiaries may also call this number to report a complaint or simply ask questions and get more information. Non-English speaking callers will also be assisted. Additionally, beneficiaries may access the SMP program online at www.stopmedicarefraud.org to read more about the “Protect, Detect & Report” message, the mission of the program and to obtain other resources and get answers to their questions. Ongoing scams, news reports, latest arrests and tips are also available online.

About eQHealth Solutions

Founded in 1986, eQHealth Solutions is a population health management and technology solutions company that touches millions of lives annually throughout the nation. Our high-tech and high-touch models include innovative technology solutions and care coordination services and focus on outcomes and optimization of provider and payer networks. eQHealth serves a variety of entities including federal, state and commercial clients.

For more information regarding the Senior Medicare Patrol program call 877-272-8720 or email Sonja Landry at slandry@eqhs.org.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Robo filter turned on so listen for the code to get through. Thank you!

GPBN to air peanut documentary

Join us for a visual journey through time, around the world, and to the shores of North America. You’ll learn where peanuts came from and some lesser known facts about this delicious treat. From the farm to your kitchen table this film is an in-depth look at the peanut industry. It goes behind the scenes and covers science, growing, harvest, and the manufacturing of peanut butter.

As one of the most complete documentaries to date for the industry 80 percent of it was filmed right here in Georgia the #1 peanut state. It includes a little-known part of Georgia history that was recreated just for the film. The producer wants teachers especially to be aware as he is working to have it available in classrooms statewide this fall. Please see the link below for more about the film and the attached for the press release along with a photo you can use. Please do let the producer know if you decide to print an article or contact him for any questions.

Peanut film to air on Georgia Public Broadcasting

Growing Peanut Butter is a farm to table documentary. It describes the story of the peanut plant and peanut butter in a visual narrative like never seen before by the general public. 80 percent of the documentary was filmed right here in Georgia. It features key figures in the peanut industry like Tyron Spearman Executive Director of the National Peanut Buying Point Ass. Another is Dr. Corley Holbrook a 30 year peanut breeder veteran who works for the University of Georgia.

It describes where peanuts came from and how they traveled through time around the world to the shores of North America. With original footage and factual research, it shows who first really invented peanut butter. It presents how peanuts used to be harvested in the good ole days. A rare part of Georgia history not widely known and recreated for the film.

Join us as we go behind the scenes for an in-depth look at the peanut industry. It will present lesser known and fun facts about a subject that is favorite tasty treat around the world. From the farm to the table this documentary will cover science, growing, harvest, and the manufacturing of peanut butter.

Joseph Barnhart, the producer for Growing Peanut Butter, has had to overcome physical challenges in completing a documentary for a subject he is very passionate about. Barnhart grew up on a small family farm just outside of Augusta, Georgia. This experience gave him an appreciation for hard work and the agriculture industry. Now after overcoming many obstacles in completing his first made for TV production he hopes his journey will help encourage others to not give up on their own goals and dreams.

Growing Peanut Butter is scheduled to air on Georgia Public Broadcasting Network Monday, August 6th at 5:30 pm. It is currently available on Amazon Prime.

Barnhart is also working to make the film available to students statewide and hopes it will be a great educational tool for teachers. The film studio also offers video production, website development, and internet marketing services. If you would like to contact the producer for purchasing information, please visit the website at agfarmfilms.com.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Atlanta, GA — The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance continues to grow at a rapid pace and has added E2E Resources, Inc. as an annual sponsor for 2018-2019. E2E is an employee benefits and HR company established 25 years ago with the focus of supporting small to large employers in providing employee benefits products and HR support.

“We joined the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance in their formative years because we recognized the value of increasing awareness for products that are Made in Georgia,” said Raymer Sale, President of E2E Resources. “Anything that we can do to support Georgia’s economy and employees is a great investment for us.”

The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance received the Buy From Georgia proclamation from Governor Deal on June 20th at the State Capitol. This proclamation promotes Georgia made products and encourages consumers to shop and buy local. The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance will tour 12 plants across the state in July that manufacturer products that can be brought on Amazon or purchased in a store including Club Car, Daniel Defense, Duracell Batteries, EmployAbility, Ghost Coast Distillery, HON Office Furniture, Millennium Mats, Okabashi Shoes, Savannah Bee Honey, Scientific Games, Sherwin Williams and Southwire.

E2E Resources uses a consultative approach to determine the client’s needs and desires. They custom design the products and support for their clients using a variety of proprietary tools including administration software, onboarding, HR support, and payroll. Their support system helps simplify and streamline a manufacturer’s experience through the entire HR process. To learn more: www.e2eresources.com

“E2E is an active member of the National Association of Health Underwriters, SHRM, and HRMA which provide important support for our manufacturers,” said Jason Moss, CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance. “We are very excited to have one of the leading employee benefits agencies join GMA as an annual sponsor.”

ABOUT GMA: The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA) is a membership-based industry organization founded in 2008 to support Georgia’s manufacturing community. GMA provides monthly plant tours, educational sessions, tradeshows, and unique networking opportunities designed to help make profitable business connections for its members. The Georgia Manufacturing Directory, Georgia Manufacturing Summit, Georgia Manufacturing Calendar, and Buy From Georgia website are additional resources produced by GMA. To learn more about the organization, membership, and upcoming events, please call 770-338-0051 or visit their website http://www.GeorgiaManufacturingAlliance.com.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

SAVANNAH – Three cities were recognized as the most recently certified Cities of Ethics at the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Annual Convention June 25. Forty-one additional cities were recognized for being recertified.

In addition, Paulding County was recertified as a County of Ethics, and the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, Northwest Georgia Regional Commission and Southwest Georgia Regional Commission were recertified as Organizations of Ethics.

The City of Ethics program began in 1999 and was developed by a panel of business and government leaders to encourage cities to adopt and adhere to a set of key ethical principles and adopt a local ethics ordinance. The ordinance must contain definitions, prohibited conduct and due process for officials accused of violations in areas such as financial disclosures, conflicts of interests and outside employment. The ordinance must also contain penalties for city officials who violate the ordinance.

GMA requires cities with the designation to recertify for the program, ensuring that ordinances maintain the standards of the program and city officials are regularly reminded of their ethical obligations as individuals and as a governing body. Each city is required to apply for recertification every four years.

A panel of attorneys reviewed the ordinances to determine if they comply with the criteria set by GMA. The cities received a plaque and are now authorized by GMA to use a “Certified City of Ethics” logo on city stationery, road signs, city vehicles and for other uses.

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to its 521 member cities.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

ATLANTA – The United States Supreme Court has ruled that internet retailers can be required to collect and remit sales taxes to states where they don’t have a physical presence. The 5-to-4 ruling overturned a 1992 case which said state and local governments could only collect from stores with a physical presence in the state. The ruling this week paves the way for Georgia to begin collecting sales taxes from online sales beginning in January. It’s estimated that local governments in Georgia could stand to gain an additional $300 million in revenue.

Collection of sales taxes from online sales has been a long-standing policy of GMA, and this session the General Assembly passed House Bill 61, sponsored by former Camilla Mayor and GMA President Jay Powell (R-Camilla).

“We’re especially grateful to Rep. Powell and the members of the General Assembly, along with Gov. Deal, for supporting that legislation, which, in light of the Supreme Court ruling this week, sets Georgia up to bring parity to Main Street stores and needed revenues for cities, counties and schools,” said GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson.

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, writing for the majority said, “Quill puts both local businesses and many interstate businesses with physical presence at a competitive disadvantage relative to remote sellers. Remote sellers can avoid the regulatory burdens of tax collection and can offer de facto lower prices caused by the widespread failure of consumers to pay the tax on their own.”

He also noted how one online retailer that does not collect taxes promotes the idea of “beautiful, peaceful homes.” “What Wayfair ignores in its subtle offer to assist in tax evasion is that creating a dream home assumes solvent state and local governments,” he wrote.

Other local government groups applauded the Supreme Court’s decision. In a statement released by the Council of State Governments, International City/County Management Association, National Association of Counties, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Governors Association, National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the groups said:

“State and local organizations applaud the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision recognizing that the 1992 Quill ruling put Main Street retailers at a competitive disadvantage to remote sellers and the efforts by states to simplify the sales tax collection process and giving those states remote sales tax collection authority. For 26 years Congress has failed to act and through the efforts of Justice Anthony Kennedy, the federal government has finally recognized the changing nature of commerce and state efforts to simplify the collection process.”

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to its 521 member cities.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Southwire named one of America’s best employers by Forbes

Carrollton, GA – June 14, 2018: Reflecting the company’s continued commitment to its employees, Southwire was named as one of America’s Best Employers in an annual list published by Forbes.

Forbes list of America’s Best Employers highlights the companies that employees like best. Through the support of Statista, an independent statistics and studies company, more than 30,000 people working at companies employing more than 1,000 people in their U.S. operations were surveyed about their employee experience.

Put simply, the respondents rated their probability of recommending the company to others as a great place to work. Southwire placed 297 out of the 500 companies recognized for this achievement.

“It is exciting to see Southwire’s name ranked on a list next to so many other large, highly respected companies,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s president and CEO. “We truly believe that our people are the heartbeat behind our company’s success, and we continue to find new ways to make Southwire a great place to work. This recognition is a tangible reflection of these efforts, and we are incredibly proud of this achievement.”

The company strives to remain generationally-sustainable for the next 100 years and beyond and has recently taken steps including the introduction of employee resource groups (ERGs) to further Southwire’s commitment to inclusivity, building on its strong total rewards platform, the growth of its robust employee volunteerism and community involvement efforts and, most recently, through the investment of approximately nine million dollars back into the lives of employees as a result of tax reform. Through this investment, full-time employees received one time bonuses, and Southwire announced an expansion of its parental leave policy and a strengthened commitment to education, industry partnerships and skilled trade development.

A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, utility cable products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment and hand tools. For more on Southwire’s products, its community involvement and its vision of sustainability, visit www.southwire.com.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Applied Information joins GMA’s Business Alliance Program

ATLANTA – The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) is pleased to announce that Applied Information has joined the GMA Business Alliance Program. The program is intended to connect companies with municipal leaders to share knowledge and expertise to strengthen Georgia’s cities and support the mission of GMA.

“Applied Information is a proud supporter of the Georgia Municipal Association and pleased to be a member of the Business Alliance Program,” said Bryan Mulligan, president of Applied Information, Inc. “Georgia’s cities are leaders in providing innovative services to their constituents and we are excited to share with GMA’s member cities about our Smart Cities transportation deployment solutions.”

“We value the commitment and expertise that Applied Information and other companies bring to our organization,” said GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson. “The Business Alliance Program business members and GMA’s combined efforts provide our municipal members with additional resources and information to help them operate their cities and provide the best services to their residents and businesses.”

About GMA:

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to its 521 member cities.

About Applied Information:

Applied Information is a leading developer of Smart Cities connected, intelligent transportation system (ITS) solutions designed to save lives, improve traffic, drive commerce and help the environment. Our cloud-based Glance Smart City Supervisory platform enables cities to more efficiently manage all its traffic control devices and ITS assets on one web-based application. We use Internet of Things (IoT) technology to make smarter Traffic Signals, School Beacons, Traffic Calming devices, and provide “Green to Scene” Emergency Vehicle Preemption. Other applications include Transit bus and autonomous trolley traffic signal priority and driver Work Zone notification. We connect the traveling public with the TravelSafely smartphone app to help to reduce distracted driving. For more information on Applied Information visit www. appinfoinc.com/ or call 678.830.2170

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Ga. Manufacturing Alliance CEO featured on Business RadioX and Supply Chain Now Radio

Atlanta, GA — Jason Moss, the CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA), continues to be recognized as a leading voice of manufacturing in Georgia. His two guest appearances on Business RadioX and Supply Chain Now Radio addressed many new initiatives unfolding for the industry and issues that are pertinent for manufacturers in Georgia.

The first appearance was a special edition of Business RadioX on May 22, which was hosted by Centurion Advisory Group. Centurion is an annual sponsor of GMA and offers a suite of services built around 401K plan design and administration.

Mr. Moss was a guest of their monthly show along with Gail Moore, the owner of Custom Plastics and More. Ms. Moore is also the NW Chapter Director for the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance. Topics of discussion included the state of manufacturing and workforce development. GMA has played an instrumental role in providing local connections and resources to help manufacturers be successful. To listen to this broadcast, visit: https://businessradiox.com/podcast/atlantabusinessradio/centurion-advisory-group/

“One of our new initiatives is our www.BuyFromGeorgia.com website which features consumer goods that are manufactured in Georgia,” said Mr. Moss. “This site helps manufacturers sell more products and connects consumers who want to buy and shop for local made products.”

Jason Moss discussed the critical role that manufacturing plays in the end-to-end supply chain. The final result of any successful manufacturing process is to sell more products and services and GMA has developed two resources that help in this initiative – the Georgia Manufacturing Directory and the www.BuyFromGeorgia.com website.

Also featured was Tammy Gracek, Chief Operating Officer of Lund International, which was recently recognized as Gwinnett’s “2018 Large Manufacturer of the Year.” Ms. Gracek discussed the 11 brands that they currently manufacturer, 5 which are leading the industry, and the substantial growth of Lund through programs that empower their employees for continued success.

Beau Groover, President of The Effective Syndicate, also appeared on the show and discussed best practices for successfully utilizing Continuous Improvement in a strategic manner to drive growth & operational excellence.

The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA) is a membership-based industry organization founded in 2008 to support Georgia’s manufacturing community. GMA provides monthly plant tours, educational sessions, tradeshows, and unique networking opportunities designed to help make profitable business connections for its members. The Georgia Manufacturing Directory, Georgia Manufacturing Summit, Georgia Manufacturing Calendar, and the BuyFromGA.com website are additional resources produced by GMA. To learn more about the organization, membership, and upcoming events, please call 770-338-0051 or visit their website http://www.GeorgiaManufacturingAlliance.com.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Duffield Aquatics joins GMA’s Business Alliance Program

ATLANTA – The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) is pleased to announce that Duffield Aquatics, Inc. has joined the GMA Business Alliance Program. The program is intended to connect companies with municipal leaders to share knowledge and expertise to strengthen Georgia’s cities and support the mission of GMA.

Duffield Aquatics, Inc. is a leading supplier of commercial swimming pool equipment providing service solutions to hundreds of world class facilities in the Southeastern United States for over 45 years. Duffield Aquatics provides factory trained, certified, and nationally accredited swimming pool professionals with the ultimate goal of providing the highest level of quality to every individual facility served. Through their SMART solutions systems, pool operators Save on resources while Maximizing their budget through Automated Responsive Technology.

“It is a true pleasure and honor to be working with the Georgia Municipal Association. We look forward to bringing our superior dedication to high quality pool maintenance and installation to GMA and every member city within the association,” said Alison Youngblood, Vice President of Duffield Aquatics. “We are very excited to be a BAP participant and I am personally very happy to begin this new relationship.”

“We value the commitment and expertise that Duffield Aquatics, Inc. and other companies bring to our organization,” said GMA Executive Director Larry Hanson. “The Business Alliance Program business members and GMA’s combined efforts provide our municipal members with additional resources and information to help them operate their cities and provide the best services to their residents and businesses.”

About GMA:

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to its 521 member cities.

About Duffield Aquatics, Inc.:

Duffield Aquatics Inc. provides swimming pool equipment and maintenance service to commercial and institutional swimming pools. With over 45 years of experience, Duffield Aquatics, Inc. has set the benchmark for quality and customer satisfaction in providing commercial swimming equipment and providing support service. Our services cover the entire Southeastern USA, providing a wide range of swimming pool related solutions that you’re your swimming pool’s water clean, clear and safe. For more information on Duffield Aquatics visit www.duffieldaquatics.com or call 888-669-7551

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Buy from Georgia Month planned for June 20 at Capitol with Gov. Deal

Atlanta, GA – On June 20, 2018, Governor Nathan Deal will present the “Buy from Georgia” month proclamation to the members of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance and manufacturing leaders from across the state. This will be the 5th year that the Governor has presented this proclamation at the Georgia State Capitol to promote manufacturers and the goods they produce in Georgia.

Studies show that the average consumer cannot name three things that are made in their state. Georgia Manufacturing Alliance has developed a tool that helps connect the general consumer to products manufactured in Georgia. The www.BuyFromGA.com website features over 1,000 items that are manufactured in our state and consumers can purchase these products via this site using their Amazon account.

“Based on the rapid shift of consumers away from retail shopping, we developed the www.BuyFromGA.com website,” said Mr. Jason Moss, CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance. “Since Amazon is the most successful and trusted online resource, shoppers who purchase through the www.BuyFromGA.com website receive all of the benefits of shopping through Amazon while supporting jobs and manufacturers in Georgia.”

“June 20th will be a significant day for manufacturers in our state,” said Jason Moss. “We will continue to provide resources for our manufacturers to learn best business practices, connect with local suppliers, and promote their goods and services.”

GMA is a membership-based industry organization founded in 2008 to support Georgia’s manufacturing community. GMA provides monthly plant tours, educational sessions, tradeshows, and unique networking opportunities designed to help make profitable business connections for its members. The Georgia Manufacturing Directory, Georgia Manufacturing Summit, Georgia Manufacturing Calendar, and Georgia Manufacturing Job Board are additional resources produced by GMA. To learn more about the organization, membership, and upcoming events, please call 770-338-0051 or visit their website at www.GeorgiaManufacturingAlliance.com.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

Survey reveals nearly 40 percent of homeowners who plan to dig will put themselves at risk by not calling Georgia 811 first

Making a free call to 811 or submitting an online request at www.Georgia811.com before digging for home improvement projects – including landscaping or installing a mailbox – can prevent damage to underground utility lines and keep communities safe

Duluth, Georgia (March 29, 2018) – In observance of National Safe Digging Month in April, Georgia 811 today announced results from a recent national survey. The results revealed that 36 percent of homeowners whop plan to dig this year for projects like landscaping, installing a fence or mailbox, or building a deck, pond or patio and other DIY projects, will put themselves and their communities at risk by not calling 811 a few days beforehand to learn the approximate location of underground utilities.
Digging without know the approximate location of underground utilities can result in serious injuries, service disruptions and costly repairs when gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines are damaged.
The national public opinion survey of homeowners conducted in February by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the national association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them, and their communities, also revealed that 47 percent of homeowners who plan to dig this year have no experience with the 811 call before you dig process. The most popular planned projects cited among surveyed homeowners include:
* Planting a tree or shrub (63 percent)
* Building a fence (35 percent)
* Building a patio or deck (28 percent)
* Installing a mailbox (16 percent)
“Tens of million of Americans plan to do DIY digging projects this year, but according to our survey, 36 percent of them admit they will not call 811 beforehand, which puts homeowners and their communities at risk,” said Megan Estes, Corporate Communications Manager, Georgia 811. “Completing a locate request online at www.Georgia811.com or calling 811 at least 48 hours before any planned home improvement projects that require digging – like installing a mailbox or planting a tree – is critical to preventing incidents like service outages and serious injuries.”
CGA’s 1,700 members, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation and Governor Nathan Deal have proclaimed April as National Safe Digging Month to bring extra attention to the issue of underground utility line safety and reduce the risk of unnecessary infrastructure damage.
As part of National Safe Digging Month, Georgia 811 encourages homeowners to take the following steps when planning a digging project this spring:
* Always submit a locate request at www.Georgia811.com or call 811 at least 48 hours before digging, regardless of the depth or familiarity of the property.
* Plan ahead. Call on Monday or Tuesday for work planned for an upcoming weekend, providing ample time for the approximate location of lines to be marked.
* Confirm that all lines have been marked.
* Consider moving the location of your project if it is near utility line markings.
* If a contractor has been hired, confirm that Georgia 811 has been contacted. Don’t allow work to begin if the lines aren’t marked.
* Visit www.Georgia811.com for complete info.
An underground utility line is damaged once every nine minutes nationwide because someone decided to dig without first contacting 811, according to industry data collected by CGA. There are more than 20 million miles of underground utilities in the United States, per data compiled by CGA from various industry groups. That figure equates to more than one football field’s length (105 yards) of buried utilities for every man, woman and child in the U.S.
Everyone who contacts Georgia 811 either online or by calling 811 will be able to create a locate request where the excavator’s information is communicated to local utility companies. Professional locators will then visit the dig site to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines with spray paint, flags or both. Once a sites has been accurately marked, it is safe to beg digging around the marked areas.About Georgia 811
811 is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preventing damage to Georgia’s underground utilties and promoting public safety. Georgia 811 is a communication system, connecting member utility companies with professional excavators and homeowners who are planning mechanized digging activity such as excavation, tunneling, grading, boring and demolition. For more information, visit Georgia 811 on the web at www.Georgia811.com.About CGA
CGA is a member-driven association of nearly 1,700 individuals, organizations and sponsors in every facet of the underground utility industry. Established in 2000, CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to North American underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. CGA has established itself as the leading organization in an effort to reduce damages to underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders. For more information, visit CGA on the web at www.commongroundalliance.com.About the study
SSRS conducted a national omnibus phone study between Feb. 21-25, 2018, on behalf of CGA. A total of 621 American homeowners ages 18+ were asked for their opinions on home and property improvement project topics. The survey had a margin of error of +/- 3.71 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

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Disclaimer

The content and accuracy of all information contained in this press release is the responsibility of the originating company or group. All information contained in this press release may be independently checked prior to any use or publication. Information and/or opinions expressed in this press release are not necessarily the views of Georgia Press Association or its affiliates.

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